As a moderator, tasked with protecting the flock, in this small little hub on the web, I'd like to take a moment to make a few statements.
I have read this entire thread, each and every single post, and although Carlos will not be viewing this post, I am not writing this for the sake of Carlos, but for the sake of my brothers and sisters who seek sincere fellowship here at CF.net.
I am not going to argue for or against the silence of women in churches, nor will I be sharing which stance (yay or nay) that I hold, but I would like to analyze the spirit that the OP is operating out of so that it may be beneficial in helping any 'weaker' in the faith Christians.
The fact of the matter is that many on this thread do NOT love God! They are not surrendered to Him as Master of their lives. They do not trust Him or His Word...no matter what it's implications. And they simply do not have eyes to see what is written right under their noses.
This is not the heart of God, folks, and this is not the Holy Spirit talking. I, caution you, brethren, to be very weary of anyone who uses such ugly manipulation to cause you to submit to a certain Biblical doctrine.
This re-worded states:
Since you do not believe my interpretation of the Bible, then you do not love God, you do not have Him as Master, nor do you trust Him or His Word.
This is an undermining of one's love for God. I can stand with the witness of the Holy Spirit before me and say, that those accused of not loving God, love Him deeply. The intention of these words is to cause insecurity within the heart of a sincere believer. "You mean since I don't believe X doctrine, then I don't love God? Then I need to believe X doctrine to prove that I do love God!" In fact, the false spirit behind these words recognizes the deep love many in this thread have for God, and is trying to use that love, to manipulate belief towards a certain direction. The Spirit of God does not manipulate so neither should anyone born to Him and in Him, and this is how we know that this particular discussion in this particular thread was not birthed from the heart of God. Because the fruit of this thread would have been good, whether it ended in choosing stance A or B, or C: agreeing to disagree. Instead, this thread ended in cruel judgment, and unrighteous judgment is not a fruit of God.
The Bible tells us:
1 Kings 8:39 (NIV)
then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart),
The OP is operating out of a false spirit, a spirit who claims to be God Almighty, by judging the hearts of Christian brothers or sisters as those who are not surrendered to God, and this spirit goes so far as to callously claim that they don't even love God.
I, extol you, brethren--Be incredibly weary of those who operate out of this heart, and the message that they bring.
Is the message that "women are to be silent in the assemblies" a sinful one? I do not make that claim or statement. But, a heart that says, "I judge you as one who doesn't love God because you do not believe the way I believe" is a heart not operating with the blessing of God, nor operating out of the Spirit of God. Not because of the message they bring, but because of the sinful heart that motivates the preaching of that message. A good parallel example is the poster, Webb, who believes that women are not to speak in the assemblies. At no point in this thread, has this poster judged anyone taking the opposing stance as Christians not serving the Lord God, or who do not love Him. I hope this makes clear the difference between the message that one can bring forward, and the spirit one operates out of when bringing or giving the message. The best thing to do, when the foundation is corrupted (i.e. - the messenger is not operating out of the Spirit of God when they bring a message) is to simply throw out everything and start fresh and clean, seeking for God's truth for the sake of His glory.
Once again, I make it clear that I do not argue for or against any theological doctrine discussed in this thread.
I am simply speaking about the heart that the message is coming from, the importance is not on the doctrine or belief in the doctrine, the importance is on the condition of the heart that the message is coming from.
If a heart sits in unrighteous judgment, having usurped the Judgment Seat of God, then how can that heart operate out of the sinless and perfect Righteous Judge--the Holy Spirit?
In conclusion, CF.net brethren, be careful and guard your hearts. For not everyone who preaches in the Name of our Lord, is operating out of the Spirit of our Lord. Please understand that this is not a condemnation of Carlos123. He claims to be a Holy Spirit filled born-again believer, and I accept his testimony, but no Christian is perfect. We must daily choose to operate out of the Holy Spirit and when we sin we are not operating out of the Spirit of God. I do not claim that Carlos123 is in sin, that is for God to judge, but I do make the claim Carlos123 is not speaking from the center of the heart of God in this thread. This is true not because of the message he brings (that women are to be silent), but because he has shown that the driving force behind his message is one that condemns and accuses the love others have for God.
In reference to the theology of whether women are to be silent in the assembly, I encourage you all to seek the Holy Spirit of God in this matter. Allow him to mold you into the image of His Son and bring you peace on this issue in whichever stance He leads you to take. And, do not condemn those who the Holy Spirit leads in another direction.
With this said, I am going to recommend this thread be closed. If anyone seeks further clarification please PM. Lastly, with the power of God living within me, I bless every single member who posted in this thread, and bless Carlos123, all in the Name of the Holy of Holies, Jesus Christ the Lord, Son of the Living God. Amen.